Controlling means



Sept. 14, 1943. A. PERSSON CONTROLLING MEANS Filed Oct. 21, 1959 FIG 5FKG Z FlGl Patented Sept. 14, 1943 vUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECONTROLLING MEANS Arthur Persson, Painesville, Ohio Application October21, 1939, Serial No. 300,613

13 Claims.

This invention relates to means for controlling flow of fluids and isparticularly applicable to the flow of fluids which have destructiveeffects upon apparatus of existing types.

In many industrial processes it is necessary to handle fluids, either inliquid or gaseous for which have highly destructive properties withregard to the valves and other structures through which these fluidsmust pass. I

As examples of such fluids, attention may be called to various acid andalkaline solutions entering in various manners into chemical processes.Some of these materials are highly corrosive to the various metals andalloys of which the control valves and the like are made, some havehighly erosive efl'ects thereon, and some, particularly those which areof a saturated nature or which carry material in suspension, have atendency to clog apparatus if their velocity be diminished, while manypossess two or more of the properties above described.

Fbr these reasons it has been found extremely difficult, and at timespractically impossible, accurately to control such fluids with thecommon types of valves, while at the same time in many of the processesin which the fluids are employed, precision of control of the flow isextremely essential.

This control has been obtained by various expedients, which haveovercome only in part the difllculties encountered.

For example: in certain chemical processes where liquid solutionscapable of precipitating solid material and having both high corrosiveand erosive properties must be accurately throttled, the ordinary typesof globe, angle and gate valves have been found to clog to such anextent as to render their use prohibitive.

To overcome the clogging, valves of the stop cock type have beensubstituted, and these are closed partially to throttle the flow of theliquid.

While this substitution to an extent relieves the difliculties ofclogging, valves of this type increase the friction opposing the flow ofthe fluid, and become rapidly worn where the flow passes the projectingedges of the valve plug, requiring frequent and expensive replacement.

The exactitude of control by such means also leaves much to be desired.However, their use has been resorted to as presenting less evils thanwere. possessed by apparatus of other known yp s. I

It is an object of my invention to provide a control apparatus whichwill eliminate the various disadvantages above described and othersattendant upon the use of prior types of fluid controlling apparatus.

The invention will be better understood from the description of onepractical embodiment thereof, illustrated in the accompanying drawing,in which:

Figure 1 is the side elevation of a controlling mechanism, resembling ingeneral dimensions a valve, and embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof taken on line 11-11 ofFigure 1; and

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on the line III-THof Figure 1.

The apparatus illustrated consists of a main body or frame whichconveniently may be a casting comprising a generally cylindrical portionI containing a control mechanism and which is provided at its ends withflanges 2 and 3 by which it may be connected to flanges on the ends ofsections on a pipe line or other conduit, as is well understood in theart,

The interior of the body I is formed into a generally conical verticalrecess 4, with which communicate two passages 5 and 6 opening generallyconcentrically of the flanges} and 3.

Positioned within the recess 4 is a frusto-conical plug I, the bottom ofwhich terminates slightly above the bottom of the recess, and which isreduced adjacent the top of the body portion by a radially extendingshoulder 8 to form an upwardly extending cylindrical neck or stem 9passing to a substantial distance above the body of the device. Theprojecting end of the stem is squared for a purpose hereinafterindicated.

The plug has a diametric passage l0 extending therethrough and adaptedto be brought into alignment with the ends of the openings 5 and 6 fromthe ends of the body, and with these to form a direct passage throughthe device. This passage is best seen in Figure 3, and presents, inlongitudinal section, the shape of a venturi.

Surrounding the stem of the plug is packing material ll, received in anannular recess l2 in the top of the body, and held in place by a packinggland I3 clamped upon the body by means of threaded studs I4 and nutsIS. The packing gland is provided on its upper surface with twoprojecting lugs l6 adapted to engage a corresponding lug ll formed upona stop collar is mounted upon the stem 9 and caused to rotate therewithby reason of the squared shape of this upper end of the stem.

The square end of the stem is also engaged by a wrench or handle I! bywhich it maybe rotated.

Thus it will be apparent, with the lugs l8 and i1 properly spaced, thatthese will limit the rotation of the plug 1 from the position shown inFigure 3, where it forms a smooth continuance of passages and 8, to aposition at right angles to this position where it completely closes thepassale.

A central bore or hole extends through the stem of the plug,communicating with the passage l0 therethrough, and is internallythreaded as indicated at 20 throughout a substantial portion of itsextent.

Passing through this bore is a shaft 2| having a short external thread22 conjugate to and engagingthe internal thread 20 in the plug stem.

the body and plug is continuous, without projecting or abrupt edges, andis in eifect a venturi, causing the fluid to flow most rapidly whilepassing through the plug.

Thus any tendency to deposit solid particles within the device iseliminated, but these are scavenged or swept through at an even highervelocity than that traveled through the conduits to and from the device.Due to the stream line Venturi shape, erosion is greatly reduced and thehigh velocity of theiluid likewise inhibits or reduces any corrosive orgalvanic action.

The upper end of the shaft is reduced and squared at 23 and has securedto it a hand wheel 24 held in place by a nut 25 threaded onto the shaft,by which hand wheel the shaft may be rotated to move it up or down asdesired.

The lower end of the shaft is reduced in diameter as indicated at 28 andsurrounded by a ferrule-like tip 21 which may project into and thusobstruct the opening through the plug.

This tip may be secured to the shaft in any desired manner, as by beingshrunk thereon, welded or brazed thereto, or by threads, or it may beformed unitarily with the shaft if the latter be of a material which isrelatively free from attack by the fluid which will pass through thedevice.

It will also be apparent that tips of different diameter may be providedand one substituted for another upon the end of the shaft if differentproblems of control are to be met by the apparatus.

Surrounding the upper end of the shaft in a recess in the upper end ofthe plug stem is a packing." held in place by a packing gland 28threaded into the upper end of the stem.

A fitting 30 is threaded into an aperture in the bottom of the body,this being of a type positioned closely adjacent the edges of theopenings I and 6. The upper ends of these grooves are positioned tocommunicate with a diametric hole 32 drilled through the plug, which inturn communicates with a vertical hole 33 passing to the top of the plugstem, its upper end being sealed as by means of a screw plug 34. Aradial hole 35 intersects the vertical hole near its top andcommunicates with the central aperture immediately below the packinggland. 7

Thus, it will be apparent that lubricant may be transmitted through thebody and the holes in the plug to the threads in the plug stem} abovethose on the shaft 2| and also to the lower part of the threads in theplug stem.

Consequently, whenever the shaft 2| is moved up or down by a rotation ofthe hand wheel, lubricant is forced from within the stem through theholes, to keep the threads and shaft thorfully When it is desired topartially restrain the fluid passing through the device, thisis""accomplished by adjustment of the hand wheel, moving the-tip on thelower end of the shaft into the passage through the plug to any desiredextent. The projecting tip, of course, reduces the effective crosssectional area of passage through the plug, but even when moved to itsmost extreme position where it touches the. bottom of the opening, stillpermits the fluid to pass directly on both sides of the tip. Thecylindrical shape of the tip permits the fluid to pass freely around,and the fluid, of course, in passing between the sides of the tip andthe side walls of the plug, must move at its maximum velocity,precluding any deposit of material on the tip itself.

It will be apparent that, should it be desired to remove or change theshaft or tip, it is only necessary by use of the wrench to shut oi! thedevice completely, then to remove the upper packing gland, and to rotatethe hand wheel and the shaft, and that all this may be done withoutrequiring any disconnection between the conduit line and the body of theapp ratus. v

As the plug is moved only when it is desired to completely shut off theapparatus, wear between it and the body is reduced to a minimum.

It will, therefore be apparent that the life of the device is long inservice, and that replacements of the valve tip or shaft may be mademany times before it is necessary to shut down the line to replace theentire device.

' bodiment of this invention in some particularity,

obviously many others will readily occur to those skilled in this art,and I do not, therefore, limit myself to the precise details shown anddescribed, but claim as my invention all embodiments, variations, andmodifications thereof coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Fluid control means comprising a body having a passage therethrough,a movable member extending into the body and across the passage, saidmember having a passage therethrough which when brought into alignmentwith that through the body forms a streamline continuation thereof, asecondmember movable into the passage through the first mentionedmember, the portion of the second member which enters said passage beingspaced from the sides of the passage and of streamline shape wherebyfluid passing through the passage at all times scavenges all exposedsurfaces of both members.

2. Fluid control means comprising a. body having a passage of generallyVenturi shape therethrough, a movable member extending into the body andacross the passage, said member having a passage therethrough which whenbrought into alignment with that through the body forms a streamlinecontinuation thereof, a

second member movable into the passage through the first mentionedmember, the portionof the second member which enters said passage beingspaced from the sides of the passage and of streamline shape wherebyfluid passing through the passage at all times scavenges all exposedsurfaces of both members.

3. Fuid control means comprising a body having a passage of generallyVenturi shape therethrough, a movable memberv extending into the bodyand across the passage, said member having a passage therethrough whichwhen brought into alignment with that through the body forms astreamline continuation thereof and constiutes the throat of theventuri, a second member movable into the passage through the firstmentioned member, the portion of the second member which enters saidpassage being spaced from the sides of the passage and of streamlineshape whereby fluid passing through the passage at all times scavengesall exposed surfaces of both members.

4. Fluid control means comprising a body having a passage therethrough,a rotatable member extending into the body and across the passage, saidmember having a passage therethrough which when brought into alignmentwith that through the body forms a streamline continuation thereof, asecond member movable into the passage through the first mentionedmember, the portion of the second member which enters said passage beingspaced from the sides of the passage and of streamline shape wherebyfluid passing through the passage at all times scavenges all exposedsurfaces of both members.

5. Fluid control means comprising a body having a passage therethrough,a rotatable member extending into the body and across the passage, saidmember having a passage therethrough which when brought into alignmentwith that through the body forms a streamline continuation thereof, asecond member axially movable into the passage through the firstmentioned member, the portion of the second member which enters saidpassage being spaced from the sides of the passage and of streamlineshape whereby fluid passing through the passage at all times scavengesall exposed surfaces of both members.

6. Fluid control means comprising a body having a passage therethrough,a movable member extending into the body and across the passage, saidmember having a passage therethrough which when brought into alignment'with that through the body forms a streamline continuation thereof, thesides, top and bottom of the passage being smooth and continuous, asecond member movable into the passage through the first mentionedmember, the portion of the second member which enters said passage beingspaced from the sides ofthe passage and of streamline shape wherebyfluid passing through the passage at all times scavenges all exposedsurfaces of both members.

'7. Fluid controlling means comprising a body defining a directcontinuous opening therethrough and a recess having partially conicalsides, a partially conical plug rotatable in the recess, a handle forrotating said plug, the plug having an opening therethrough which whenbrought into alignment with the opening through the body forms acontinuous smooth wall Ven turi-like passage, the plug when rotated tobring its passage out of alignment with that of the body being capableof completely closing the latter, a rod threaded into the plug andextensible axially into the passage, the portion of the rod extensibleinto said passage being spaced substantially from the sides thereof andthe end of the rod being streamline in shape to produce only streamlinedspaces at the sides and end of the rod whereby the fluid flowing throughthe passages scavenges all exposed surfaces of the passages and of therod.

8. Fluid control means comprising a body having a passage therethrough,a movable member extending into the body and across the passage, saidmember having a passage therethrough which when brought into alignmentwith that through the body forms a streamline continuation thereof, thepassage through the member being of less cross sectional area than thegreatest cross sectional area of the passage through the body, a secondmember extending into the passage through the first mentioned member andat all times confining fluid to the streamline passages through the bodyand first member and selectively movable into said passage, the portionof the second member which enters said passage being spaced from thesides of the passage and of streamline shape whereby fluid passingthrough the passage at all times scavenges all .exposed surfaces of bothmembers.

9. Fluid control means comprising a body h'av-v ing a passage ofgenerally Venturi shape there-.

through, a movable member extending .into the body and across thepassage, said member having a passage therethrough which when broughtinto alignment with that through thebody forms a streamline continuationof said Venturi shaped passage, the passage through the member being ofless cross sectional area than the greatest cross sectional area of thepassage through the body, a second member movable into the passagethrough the first mentioned member, the portion of the second memberwhich enters said passage being spaced from the sides of the passage andof streamline shape whereby fluid passing through the passage at alltimes is confined to the streamline passage through the body and thefirst mentioned member and so scavenges all exposed surfaces of bothmembers.

10. Fluid control means comprising a body having a passage therethrough,a rotatable member extending into the body and across the passage, saidmember having a passage therethrough which when brought into alignmentwith that through the body forms a streamline continuation thereof,there being a perforation extending through said member andcommunicating with the passage therethrough, the passage through themember being of less cross sectional area than the greatest crosssectional area of the passage through the body, a second member fillingthe perforation and having an end extending into the passage through thesaid first mentioned member and selectively movable into said passageconfining the fluid to the streamline passage through the body and firstmentioned member, the portion of the second member which enters saidpassage being spaced from the sides of the passage and of streamlineshape whereby fluid passing through the passage at all times scavengesall exposed surfaces of both members.

11. Fluid control means comprising a body having a passage therethrough,a rotatable member extending into the body and across the passage, saidmember having a passage therethrough which when brought into alignmentwith that through the body forms a streamline continuation thereof,there being a perforation extending through said member andcommunicating with the passage therethrough, the passage through themember being of less cross sectional area than the greatest crosssectional area of the passage through the body, a second member fillingthe perforation and having an end extending into the passage through thesaid first mentioned member and selectively axially movable into saidpassage confining the fluid to the streamline passage through the bodyand first mentioned member, the portion of the second member, whichenters said passage being spaced from the sides of the passage and ofstreamline sh'ape whereby fluid passing through the passage at all timesscavenges all exposed surfaces of both members.

12. Fluid control means comprising a body having a passage therethrough,a movable member extending into the body and across the passage, saidmember having a passage therethrough which when brought into alignmentwith that through the body forms a streamline continuation thereof,thepassage through the member being of less cross sectional area thanthe greatest cross sectional area of the passage through the body, thesides, top and bottom of the passage being smooth and continuous, asecond member movable into the passage through the first mentionedmember, the portion of the second member which enters said passage atall times constituting an inward projection from the smooth andcontinuous surface of the passage and being spaced from the sides of thepassage and of streamline shape whereby fluid passing through thepassage at all times scavenges all exposed surfaces of both members.

13. Fluid controlling means comprising a body defining a directcontinuous passage therethrough and a recess having partially conicalsides, a partially conical plug rotatable in the recess, a handle forrotating said plug, the plug having a passage th'erethrough which whenbrought into alignment with the passage through the body forms acontinuous smooth wall Venturi-like passage, the passage through theplug being of less cross sectional area than the greatest crosssectional area of the passage through the body, the plug when rotated tobring its passage out of alignment with that of the body being capableof completely closing the latter, a

rod threaded into the plug and extensible axially into the passage, theportion of the rod extensible into said passage being spacedsubstantially from the sides thereof and the end of the rod beingstreamline in shape to produce only streamlined spaces at the sides andend of the rod whereby the fluid flowing through the passage scavengesall exposed surfaces of the passages and of the rod.

ARTHUR PERSSON.

